ModalAI, a Blue UAS framework manufacturer of autonomous drone technology, has unveiled the latest iterations of its popular VOXL 2 development drone. The new Starling 2 and Starling 2 Max feature upgraded image sensor suites, including FLIR Lepton thermal, for reliable indoor and outdoor navigation. Both models come with impressive flight times and are compliant with NDAA regulations.
The smaller of the duo, Starling 2, is a 280g aircraft that houses up to five image sensors for 40+ minutes of indoor visual navigation. Starling 2 Max, meanwhile, weighs 500g and can carry an additional 500g of payloads. Starling 2 Max can support 55+ minutes of outdoor navigation. Both drones are available to buy now, with Starling 2 carrying a price tag of $2,949.99 and Starling 2 Max costing $2,999.99.
“Our development drones enable rapid integration of the VOXL SDK, VOXL 2, and our ecosystem of state-of-the-art components to reduce time to market and accelerate R&D,” says Chad Sweet, CEO and cofounder of ModalAI. “Starling 2 and Starling 2 Max are the next generation of VOXL 2 drones that will propel the industry to the next level of US-built, autonomous capabilities.”
ModalAI’s Starling drones leverage the powerful VOXL 2 companion computer and autopilot that was created to advance the Blue UAS Framework 2.0 Program. With 15 TOPS of AI processing, VOXL 2 boasts more AI computing than any other autopilot. Powered by the 8-core Qualcomm QRB5165, the Starlings house a PX4 real-time flight controller, up to five image sensors, TDK IMUs and barometer, GPS and WiFi connectivity, and are assembled in the US.
Granting intelligence to the Starling 2 and Starling 2 Max is the VOXL SDK. Open software autonomy algorithms like visual inertial odometry, visual obstacle avoidance, and 3D mapping and path planning are pre-programmed into the drones, reducing time to flight. VOXL SDK also features pre-integrated TensorFlow Lite neural networks to run object classification, detection, and other models. Developers can also find an expansive library of documentation, code, and tutorials to aid in the development process.
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